14,500 participants turn out in support of Dubai Cares’ Walk for Education 2017

• UAE residents symbolically walk 3km reflecting the distance millions of children in developing countries must walk every day to go to school
• 8th annual Walk for Education, aligned with UAE’s ‘Year of Giving’, raises funds and awareness to provide underprivileged children with access to quality education
• IFFCO main sponsor for this year’s edition

14,500 members of the UAE community have joined the 8th annual Walk for Education, organized by Dubai Cares, part of Mohammed bin Rashed Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, to walk in solidarity with millions of children around the world who have limited or no access to education. Adults, children gathered for the popular community event to walk a symbolic 3km route along Riyadh Road in Dubai to raise funds and heighten awareness around the plight of millions of children who walk an average of three kilometers every day to go to school in developing countries.

This year’s Walk for Education is in line with the UAE’s 2017 ‘Year of Giving’, as decreed by President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, which aims to foster and strengthen a sense of community engagement and develop the spirit of volunteering and serving the nation by involving all members of the community.

Commenting on yet another exceptional turnout by UAE residents for the Walk for Education, Tariq Al Gurg, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Cares, said: “Once again, we are honored and humbled by the overwhelming support this initiative has been receiving from members of the UAE community who joined together as one and demonstrated their solidarity with millions of children in the developing countries who face a daily struggle to access a basic right for every child. This year’s Walk for Education, which is in line with Year of Giving, was also an opportunity for residents to reflect upon the benefits of extending a helping hand and making a difference in people’s lives.”

Rizwan Ahmed, Executive Director of IFFCO Group, the main sponsor of the event said: "Our Group believes in investing in the future and we know that our children are our future. IFFCO Group, along with Dubai Cares and everyone who took part in the walk for education, understands this fact and is committed to providing every deserving child a better access to education so that we can help them in creating and sustaining a better future. We are proud to be associated with this initiative, which has been growing every year, and would like to wish Dubai Cares the best in this endeavor."

Speaking on the 2017 successful edition of the Walk for Education, Rana Awad, Marketing Manager at Dubai Cares said: “Our partners, sponsors, volunteers, and the government departments that facilitated the event, are absolutely invaluable to the continued success of the Walk for Education. They are an essential part of the story of success of any of our local and international initiatives. The level of support we receive from all corners of the UAE community represents the reason why Dubai Cares is able to extend the scope of its efforts, to reach as many children as possible in developing countries.”

Rachel Gem, participant in the walk said: "I am very excited to be part of the Walk for Education today. We had an amazing time with our friends and family and most importantly we got the chance to endorse a great cause. Dubai Cares is doing a commendable job of providing access to so many children around the world.”

This year, IFFCO is the main sponsor for the Walk for Education 2017 and Chevron Al Khaleej is the sponsor along with an array of partners including Etisalat, JK58, Dubai Police, RTA, Dubai Sports Council, Dubai Municipality, Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services, Hills Advertising, ITP, Vox Cinemas and the Arabian Radio Network, as well as a team of more than 350 volunteers.

Full details of all Dubai Cares volunteer initiatives are announced via Dubai Cares’ social media platforms, and through emails to database members. To stay informed, please visit the ‘Get Involved’ section at www.dubaicares.ae or follow/like Dubai Cares on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube.